Striking Vs Grappling Analysis
What is Striking vs grappling analysis? Regardless if you are a beginner or an experienced martial artist, there’s a couple of questions that usually comes into mind. When you decide to begin your martial arts journey. What should I train in a striking or grappling art ? . Is one better than the other in a self defence? And Should I train a combination of the two?. Martial arts falls under two main categories known as striking ( karate, taekwondo, boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai) or grappling (wrestling, judo, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu).
Martial arts is a phenomenal way regardless of your age to build confidence, self defence skills, self awareness and discipline. All while making lifelong friends and a 2nd family. Sometimes the hardest part of martial arts, especially in the beginning is choosing the right one. It is important is think about what you are trying to achieve, is it self defence, fitness or do you want to compete at an elite level . I hoping this article will give you an insight in order to help you to make the right decision. By understanding each discipline and see which ones syncs with your preferences.
STRIKING VS GRAPPLING ANALYSIS
Striking vs Grappling is a very common debate on the internet and social media platforms. Grappling arts like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu while complex it also has a systematic approaches when it comes to learning. I guess you could say it feels more like a science than a martial arts. Because its focuses on the joints and has elusive step-by-step guides, which is great for beginners. while other people suggest that striking should be the first choice because it is not as complex to learn and has a lot less adaptations unlike grappling techniques.
I have always hated comparing different styles, as each has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. But I would say for women and kids I would probably go for grappling, as it’s helps you subdue larger opponents and helps you stay relaxed it you ever gets pinned to the ground. Which is why I trained in both starting training in grappling then moved onto striking later.
Both martial arts striking and grappling are effective for self-defence. But remember that inside a dojo it is a controlled environment. In a real life scenario there are so many things that are outside of your control like number of attackers, are you in a confined space and you don’t get to choose the size of your attacker.
KEY DIFFERENCES
GRAPPLING
Grappling martial arts (ground fighting) uses methods such as joint locks, grips, chokes, throws and takedowns in order get the opponent to the ground.
PROS
- Allows you take control over your attacker by getting the upper hand if the fight gets taken to the ground. (This is a very important skill for women to have in their arsenal )
- You will improve your endurance, flexibility, and physical strength.
- Teaches you how to take down the attackers and control their movements.
- Educates you in how to get into more dominant positions and also how to remain calm in a stressful environment.
- You learn how to adjust your techniques and the right amount of force required to subdue a potential threat.
CONS
- Grappling is not effective for multiple attackers.
- Grappling is dangerous if a weapon is drawn at anytime during an attack and not something practiced in the dojo.
- Does not support distance management.
- No training in any striking techniques.
STRIKING
Striking arts teaches you how to cause significant damage to an attacker from a safe distance, by hitting with power, speed and force. This is perfect for taking a would be attacker off guard by simply executing a powerful punch or kick to an attacker’s body. Giving you the valuable advantage of time to escape and been able to retreat to safety.
PROS
- Striking usually ends a fight a lot faster than grappling does.
- Effective against multiple attackers ( good instructors will train you how to do this effectively.)
- You learn distance management (giving powerful strikes while keeping you safe)
- Guys tend to use power over techniques, but women focus more on their perfecting their techniques. Example a smaller opponent will be naturally a lot more quicker than a larger opponent.
- Learning how to control but also adapt your techniques for any given situation.
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The strike may consist of kicks, punches, elbows strikes, knee strikes, or standing joint locks.
CONS
- Striking can cause injuries not only inside the dojo, if proper precautions are not taken. But also if you going against a larger opponent (as they can apply a lot more force in their strikes)
- If you overpowered, taken off guard or taken to the ground. You are more than likely to freeze, because you don’t have the right training , knowledge, mindset or skills to handle that type of situation.
- Quite limited in their practical implications, not as adaptable as grappling .
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In striking, the risk of a head injury is high (punches or kicks to the head)
Let’s now take a deeper look at striking vs grappling analysis by focusing on two of the world’s most popular martial arts Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Karate.
BELT SYSTEM (STRIKING vs GRAPPLING ANALYSIS)
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)
The belt progression in BJJ goes from white > blue > purple > brown > black. This one of hardest martial arts to get a black belt in, because it takes up to 10 years for this to be achieved.
Karate
The belt progression in karate (the style I do is Shindo karate) goes from white > yellow > green > blue > purple > orange > 1st brown > 2nd brown > 3rd brown > black. Different styles of karate have their own belt system. Once a practitioner reaches black belt, they progress towards “dans,” which the highest is 10th Dan. It takes karate practitioner’s 5 years to achieve their blackbelts .
WHAT YOU LEARN IN TRAINING
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)
There are generally three phases: warm-up, drills, and rolling. Warm-up consists of dynamic stretching and low intensity exercises to get the body warm. This helps reduce injury. Drills help you understand how to apply techniques properly. It also builds muscle memory, which gives you the ability to use these moves automatically in sparring. Rolling light means giving your opponent some room to work and allowing the overall roll to flow between positions and submissions. During this phase, students test their skills against one another. When someone is caught in a submission, they “tap out” at which point the other person lets go. They then start restart the process all over again.
Karate
Karate has three phases: kihon, kata, and kumite. These can be translated as fundamentals, forms and sparring. During kihon, students will practice the fundamentals of punching, kicking, blocking, and thrusting. They’ll also practice things like posture and breathing. Katas are drills of specific techniques. Some examples include Taikyoku Shodan, Bassi Dai, Jion & Kanku Sho. During kumite, students spar with one another using protective gear (shin guards, gloves, mouth guard and sometimes head gear)
COMPETITION SCORING SYSTEM (STRIKING vs GRAPPLING ANALYSIS)
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)
There are two formats to BJJ competitions: point-based and sub-only. According to the IBJJF, takedowns, sweeps, and knees on the belly are worth 2 points. Guard passes are worth 3 points. Mounts, back mounts, and back control are worth 4 points. Under a sub-only ruleset, a person can only win by successful submission.
Karate
According to the World Karate Federation, karate competitions are full contact, with competitors allowed to strike their opponents above the waist. Kicks are allowed to the head and body, but punches are only allowed to the body. Kicks to the face, head or neck are awarded 3 points. Any technique that results in the opponent losing their balance is also awarded 3 points. Kicks to the stomach, chest, back, or side are awarded 2 points. Punches are awarded 1 point.
TECHNICAL SKILLS (STRIKING vs GRAPPLING ANALYSIS)
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
The fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu are throws, takedowns, chokeholds, joint locks, and sweeps. Additionally, I kind of think of it like playing the perfect game of chess. Essentially using manoeuvres in order to position your opponent to be able to properly execute a technique, submit them or go in for the win.
Practitioners can use skills such as foot sweeps or a double leg take down, in order to bring their opponent to the ground. Some of BJJ techniques include rear naked choke, triangle, guillotine. While also using joint locks, this technique manipulates an opponent limbs in ways that can dislocate or even break joints. Such as arm-bar, heel hook, kimura, or knee bar.
Karate
The essence of karate is executing powerful kicks and strikes at vital points of the body with kicks and punches, as well as utilising different stances and blocking techniques to defend against any oncoming attack. Practitioners of this art also practice throws, standing joint locks, takedowns and foot sweeps.
Learning a variety of stances that helps a karateka maintain a strong base like Kiba dachi (horse stance), back stance, front stance or ZenKutsu Dachi. By mastering these various techniques, karate practitioners can execute a range of hand and foot strikes. Therefore, taking a would be attacker off guard with techniques such as palm heel strike, hook punch, Mai Geri Keage or snapping front kick.
FINAL THOUGHTS
So, what is the conclusion in striking vs grappling analysis? Well the answer is not a simple one. Because there is not a one style fits all because martial arts is your own personal journey. So in reality it all comes down to your personal preferences, physical abilities, and what self defence scenario you might find yourself in.
Both grappling and striking have their advantages and disadvantages. Grappling can be very effective in close-quarters combat, if you need to take your attacker to the ground and subdue them until help arrives. But what if you need to fight while maintaining a safe distance? Grappling also does not have the techniques to deal with multiple opponents or if a weapon comes into play.
Striking, on the other hand, can be very effective in where you need to keep your distance from your attacker, or when you are facing multiple attackers (This is extremely tiring even for the fittest martial artist & they would need to be dealt with swiftly). However, if you are only trained in striking, you can freeze or panic if you find yourself pinned to the ground.
Ultimately, the best self-defense strategy is to have a well-rounded skill set that includes both grappling and striking techniques. This will give you the flexibility to adapt to any situation and defend yourself effectively.